These
are common packaged baits that most beginners to intermediate
fishers will find handy in the local Lake Tyers waters or in the
ocean, on the 90 Mile Beach.

The effectiveness of any bait is
effected by many things. Often the seasonal nature of the "real"
food the fish are chasing in the lake or ocean will greatly influence
whether a fish can be tempted or not.

How a bait is rigged and
presented will also be important. The condition of the fish,
eg are they breeding or dormant or has the natural food run out and
they are really hungry?

Frozen BAITS

Generally
speaking the fresher the bait the better the chance of catching a
fish. Fortunately frozen bait is a practical option for people
who are wanting to try their luck, and in places like Lake Tyers Beach
where fishing is very popular even the frozen bait will be relatively
fresh. The baits listed below are good ones to try and some
hints are given on where and how to use them, however part of
the magic of fishing is that if you have a particular bait on hand and
it is doing the job, then stick with it, all fishing rules are meant to
be broken.

Bait (against a 5 cent coin)

Hints

Whitebait:
The
smallest of the whole fish baits. Useful for any of the lake
species. If the kids are losing baits very quickly off the jetties
these maybe an economical way to go. Use a #4 hook or thereabouts.

Blue Bait:
Popular for Flathead and Tailor and can be used in the surf and lake with success. Try with a #4 to #2 hook.
If the hook is "bitten off", then try a wire trace, as there are probably decent Tailor around.

A good all rounder for the boat, jetty, bank or beach.

Prawn:
Pictured
here is the "local prawn" (top) caught in the local lakes system and
bagged up as bait. Below is the farmed prawn, smaller in size and
paler. Either are very effective on Bream, though the bigger
prawn on a bigger hook (eg #2) will reduce annoying strikes on
under size fish.
The Prawn is also very effective with Flathead if
the bait can be kept on the bottom and on the move, out of the weed. Try in any sandy
bottom areas you can find.
Peeling off the head and first two bits of shell is a good local tip worth a try.

Squid:
These baby Squid are great for the surf if there are sand crabs
around stripping the softer whole body fish bait off before the target
fish even see them. Cut them into strips and they will present
for a longer time. Try a whole body fish bait on the higher top
hook and squid on the lower bait to cover a few bases at the one time.
If the crabs are really bad use a popper on the lower hook and
squid on the upper hook. (or catch the Crabs!!!)

Pilchard:
A whole one or two of these on your surf rig can add casting weight,
and allow a lighter sinker for a more sensitive rig set up, and less
drag overall when you do make a strike. They are the premium surf
bait and using them means nearly anything is possible, and if you are
good at it, usually big....

Fresh BAITS

If you can get them then use them, if you can find you own even better!!!

Sandworm:
Here is the best local bait but not easy to get as the local suppliers
have to wade around at some ungodly hour up to their knackers in cold
water to pump them for you guys.

However they are a very
versatile bait hooking a wide range of species if used correctly.
They will be explosive on Bream on the right day, and great for
Luderick under a float with the right set up. Dynamite on Garfish
with a #12 hook and bread crumb/tuna oil berley. If you can get
Sandworm and you don't get a bite don't blame the bait.

Caution
though as the removal of these worms causes considerable damage to
their habitat and as we take more, the more their habitat is broken up
and they become harder to find, and colonies recover less and less.
Are we killing the goose that laid that golden egg??

Best for you to find your own bait in the long run. Cheers.

Generally speaking the fresher the bait the better the chance of catching a
fish.Other baits we hope to
cover in the future are Spider Crabs, Pippies
What are your bait preferences? Email me if you have any comments.... info@laketyersbeach.net.au

PS:
Sand worms don't live in "sand alone" (as shown above), they live in
watery aquatic environments, so as soon as you buy them, if you release them
into a bucket of fresh sea or estuarine water ASAP, they will last a lot
longer. If you want to keep them overnight, or longer, use an
aerator pump and just change the water regularly, like a complete
change once day and use about 5 to 10 litres of water at that.
The more the better. Why waste good bait when common sense
can make your expensive purchase last much longer?